Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE SHG5111

 
TITLE Hermeneutics of Scripture: Past Texts and Present Contexts

 
UM LEVEL 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course

 
MQF LEVEL 7

 
ECTS CREDITS 10

 
DEPARTMENT Sacred Scripture, Hebrew and Greek

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit entails the writing and successful submission of a publishable review paper of 10 ECTS.

The student is to choose one of the research areas provided to discuss it with the tutor chosen in order to establish the precise theme and parameters of the topic selected. Under the direction of the tutor, the student will write an essay in which s/he develops this theme.

Study-Unit Aims:

- to assist the student in delving into a theological research topic creatively.
- to elucidate the main issues at stake concerning a particular theme.
- to stimulate interest in a research topic in order to appreciate its relevance to theological discourse.
- to coach the student as they theologize about factual issues.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- identify the arguments in favour of or against a given topic.
- select the most relevant theological implications for a given discourse.
- adequately explain the major issues at stake concerning a particular theological area.
- critically evaluate the relevance of a specific theological theme in relation to contemporary society.

2. Skills:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- educate others as regards the theological significance of pertinent and concrete pastoral issues.
- coordinate study-groups dealing with specific topics in different settings.
- diagnose particular pastoral contexts in order to decide on how to approach them.
- develop strategies to address various issues with academic rigour.
- debate in favour of a particular theological position whilst taking into consideration all other possible interpretations.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

- Paul VI, Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, Dei Verbum (18 November 1965)
https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19651118_dei-verbum_en.html
- Benedict XVI, Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation on the Word Of God in the Life and Mission of the Church, Verbum Domini (30 September 2010)
http://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_ben-xvi_exh_20100930_verbum-domini.html
- Pontifical Biblial Commission, The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church (23 April 1993)
https://catholic-resources.org/ChurchDocs/PBC_Interp-FullText.htm
- Bonneau, Normand, “The Bible and Liturgy,” in The International Bible Commentary. A Catholic and Ecumenical Commentar for the Twenty-First Century, edited by Wialliam R. Farmer (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1998), 138-146.
- Fitzmyer, Joseph A., The Biblical Commission’s Document “The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church”. Text and Commentary (Subsidia Biblica, 18; Rome: Pontificio Istituto Biblico, 1995).
- Kselman, John S. – Charlesworth, James H. - Shogren, Gary S., “Forgiveness,” in The Anchor Bible Dictionary, vol. 2, edited by David Noel Freedman (New York: Doubleday, 1992), 831-838.
- McEvenue, Sean, “Violence and Evil in the Bible,” in The International Bible Commentary. A Catholic and Ecumenical Commentar for the Twenty-First Century, edited by Wialliam R. Farmer (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1998), 298-304.
- Williamson, Peter S., Catholic Principle for Interpreting Scripture. A Study of the Ponticifal Biblical Commission’s The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church (Subsidia Biblica, 22; Rome: Pontificio Istituto Biblico, 2001).
- Witherington, Ben, III, “Women (NT),” in The Anchor Bible Dictionary, vol. 6, edited by David Noel Freedman (New York: Doubleday, 1992), 957-961.

 
ADDITIONAL NOTES Pre-requisite Qualifications: SThB degree

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Independent Study

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Research Paper SEM2 Yes 100%

 
LECTURER/S

 

 
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The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit